Shards of Murder

by Cheryl Hollon

  The yelling started as soon as they entered. Amanda was yelling at Edward for not putting on his helmet. Jacob’s eyes were wide and Suzy’s eyes were wider. Rooney wasn’t helping by barking at everyone.

  “Hush, guys.” Savannah rapped the table with her knuckles. “Calm down. This isn’t helping and you’re alarming the dogs.” She waved a hand to the chairs surrounding the long wooden table. “Sit.”

  Rooney immediately sat to attention. Everyone laughed and began settling into the comfortable office-style chairs.

  Amanda and Jacob sat across from Edward and Savannah. Jacob looked down at Suzy, who had nestled under his chair. She looked up at him calmly.

  Savannah turned to Edward. “This pretty much closes the case.”

  “It does provide closure for Megan’s family.” He looked into Savannah’s eyes. “I’m sure they’re in extreme shock.”

  “Do you think it would be appropriate if I dropped by to offer my sympathy? I didn’t feel like I could do that while I was a suspect.”

  Edward nodded. “I think that would be very much appreciated. They need to know why she was chosen to receive the Best of Show award.”

  Savannah nodded. “Not only that, I think I can tell them that she finally found her true inspiration within her own heart. I think that’s why her last piece is so vibrant—she had found herself.”

  “You sure you don’t want to go to Seattle and teach there?”

  “I admit that I had a few homesick moments. I miss the hot glass. I miss the team environment and I miss—”

  “The beer or the coffee?” Edward leaned into the table to look around.

  Savannah laughed. “Nope, we have those here.”

  The door opened and Detective Parker stepped into the conference room followed by Officer Boulli.

  “Good afternoon.” He sat at the head of the conference table and Officer Boulli wobbled his way down to the foot. Detective Parker placed a fat manila folder on the table and waited until Officer Boulli squeezed into the chair.

  “Thanks to you, Keith is writing up his confession to the murder of Megan Loyola and also for the attack on Savannah.”

  Amanda shot her hand up into the air. “Do you know why he did it?”

  Detective Parker nodded slightly. “Let’s start with that.” He opened the manila folder to a sheet of scribbled notes. “Keith worked with Megan at the Duncan McCloud Gallery during her residency. Apparently, their relationship began after Megan broke it off with Leon.”

  “But her team members were Leon and Vincent during the hot shop work,” Savannah said. “Her past behavior was to create new work with her newest lover. You can’t have enemies when you’re handling molten glass in tight quarters.”

  “Apparently that was a big issue. Megan had taken Keith as her lover right before she perfected the process that produced the red torso. Typical of her past behavior, she dropped him after the masterpiece was ready for entry into the Spinnaker Art Festival. That was the breaking point.”

  Amanda spoke up, “That’s cruel. She used her lovers for inspiration during the heat of creation and then tossed them aside after the passion no longer fed her work. Cruel and sad.”

  “So, a sexual relationship had that much influence on her work?” Edward’s eyes widened with disbelief.

  Savannah nodded. “Yes, especially when the work is cutting edge. Everything in your life influences it. She had found a way to harness that initial passion. That’s why her works were so powerful.”

  Detective Parker cleared his throat. “Unfortunate for the lovers. This time she picked one too mature to submit meekly to her cruelty. Keith was infuriated by Megan’s rejection and they argued that Saturday night.”

  “Why didn’t anyone hear them?” Jacob asked.

  “Good question.” Detective Parker looked over at a calm Jacob, who held Suzy up so she could see everyone. “The argument was behind Megan’s exhibit tent after the other exhibitors had buttoned up their tents. Anyway, when he realized that she wasn’t going to take him back, he says he became overcome by a red fury and shoved her into a nearby vase and when she fell the shard caused the fatal injury. I don’t believe he came to the booth planning to kill her.”

  “So, it was a crime of passion,” Savannah said.

  “It could also have been a crime of opportunity. In any case, he should have called for help at the time it occurred. Instead, he went to great lengths to cover up the accident.”

  “If it was only about their relationship, why keep it quiet?” Edward spoke so softly everyone leaned forward. “Was it also about the new process for curing the copper ruby glass?”

  “That was a big part of it. He said Megan wouldn’t agree to be his co-inventor in the patent application for the improved process. Combined with the relationship rejection, it pushed him to violence.”

  Savannah couldn’t keep still. “What about Wanda? We know about the missing money. Will she be arrested?”

  Detective Parker looked down and then directly at Officer Boulli, at the other end of the table. “That investigation is ongoing so I can’t discuss it with you. I can, however, tell you that our office is taking the matter very seriously. We are taking steps to ensure that an audit of the Spinnaker Art Festival books will expose any irregularities you”—he smiled at Jacob—“might have discovered.”

  Detective Parker slowly closed the manila folder and placed his folded hands on its front cover. “I thank you for your assistance. We were close to arresting Keith and I’m certain we would have done so within a few more hours, but you managed to beat us to the punch by luring him to the agility meet.”

  He smiled at each of them with a cold glint in his eyes. “Now, for the lecture.”

  Chapter 28

  Sunday Noon

  Savannah’s small deck covered by a wooden pergola was barely large enough for the celebration party. Amanda had taken possession of the swinging hammock chair while Jacob stood at the far end watching Rooney and Suzy play among the agility obstacles.

  As part of the celebration, Savannah had rashly offered a cookout and stood flipping burgers and hot dogs at the charcoal grill that had been her father’s entertainment station. She smiled as she remembered how he would tell funny stories about clients and students and have everyone in stitches. Good times.

  “When’s Edward getting here?” Jacob asked.

  “He should be here already.” Savannah started toasting the hamburger and hot dog buns. “He said he might be late.” Her cell phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and answered. “Hello, this is Savannah Webb. Yes, I certainly enjoyed being a judge. That’s very kind. Thanks for letting me know. Bye.”

  Amanda stood next to Savannah and began preparing platters to receive the food. “Was that someone from the Spinnaker committee?”

  “Yes.” She started transferring the hamburgers and hot dogs to a waiting platter. “It seems that Wanda’s replacement on the committee was impressed with not only my judging skills, but our sleuthing skills as well. He’s confident that the committee will appoint me as next year’s glass art judge.”

  Amanda handed her the wicker basket for the buns, but froze. “Next year’s judge?” She put the basket on the side shelf attached to the grill and started unloading the buns from the grill. “That’s great, I think. Hopefully, it will be an ordinary event.”

  “That’s not all.” They carried the meat and buns over to the food table. “He has also appointed Webb’s Glass Shop as the referral studio for teaching beginning glass students.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, it’s a major coup over Frank Lattimer’s shop. He’s had that referral for many years, since he’s so close to the committee downtown.”

  “Your dad would be so proud.”

  Savannah smiled and felt warm from her chest to her ears. “Yes. Yes, he would be proud.”

  They placed the food on the table and Amanda scrunched her brow. “Who is stepping in to take over Wanda’s responsibilities?”
<
br />   “It’s one of the selection committee members that you met at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club meeting.”

  “I met several.” She smiled and shook her head. “You’re stringing this out. This is giving you a real tickle, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. His name is Wilson Barnes.”

  “I remember him. He seemed very kind and sensible—neither was a quality that was prized this past year. That is going to be great for next year’s Spinnaker Art Festival. I’m so pleased.”

  Hands on her hips, Savannah surveyed the food table and adjusted the placement of the paper plates and condiments. She heard the front-door bell. “Okay, guys, go ahead. That will probably be Edward.”

  Savannah opened the door to find Edward standing in front of a smiling older man and plump maternal woman. Edward held a red enamelware dish and wore a sheepish grin.

  “Savannah, I’ve taken the bold liberty of inviting my parents to your cookout. As an apology, I’ve brought a pot of Mum’s famous chili.”

  She laughed like a tickled baby, then said, “You mean your pub’s ‘World Famous Royal Chili’ ”—she finger quoted—“is a family recipe? Priceless.”

  Barging around her son, the woman said, “Hello, pet, I’m Glenda Morris and this is my husband as well as Edward’s dad, Ron. We’re so delighted to finally meet Edward’s sweetheart.”

  Savannah’s hand flew to her throat and she shot an alarmed look at Edward. “Oh.” She quickly took Glenda’s hand. The next shock was her soft, almost feathery handshake. Then Ron reached out a weathered hand and she received a hearty handshake along with an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek.

  Edward grimaced and hustled them out to the deck, where he immediately proceeded to introduce them to everyone individually. They seemed delighted to be meeting Edward’s friends.

  What has he been saying to his parents? What have I been saying to him?

  After the bustle of doling out the burgers, dogs, and chili, Savannah, puzzled by Edward’s furious signaling, joined him at the far end of the small backyard.

  He whispered loudly, “Savannah, I don’t know what to say. I don’t know where my mum gets these ideas. Are you angry?”

  She took a deep breath, then said, “No, I’m not angry; I was surprised.”

  “So, the idea is not precisely repugnant?”

  “Well, let’s just say that I’m not opposed.” Then, to show him exactly what she meant, she kissed him deep and true.

  FUSED GLASS GLOSSARY OF TERMS

  Fused glass is glass that has been fired (heat-processed) in a kiln at a range of high temperatures from 593°C (1,099°F) to 816°C (1,501°F). There are three main distinctions for temperature application and the resulting effect on the glass.

  Firing in the lower ranges of these temperatures (593°C–677°C or 1,099°F–1,251°F) is called slumping. Firing in the middle ranges of these temperatures (677°C–732°C or 1,251°F–1, 350°F) is considered tack fusing. Firing the glass at the higher spectrum of this range (732°C–8 16°C or 1,350°F–1,501°F) is referred to as a full fuse.

  All of these techniques can be applied to one glasswork in separate firings to add depth, relief, and shape.

  Coldworking is a collective term for the many techniques used to alter or decorate glass after the annealing, or cooling, process is complete. This includes grinding, polishing, cutting, engraving, etching, sandblasting, stippling, and more.

  Glass casting is the process in which glass objects are cast by directing molten glass into a mold, where it solidifies. The technique has been used since the Egyptian period. Modern cast glass is formed by a variety of processes such as kiln casting or casting into sand, graphite, or metal molds.

  INFORMATION ABOUT FUSED GLASS INSTRUCTION

  Making gifts of glass is my favorite hobby. My husband and I have a large kiln that we use to fuse glass and make cheese trays out of wine bottles. Most stained-glass shops offer workshops on how to make plates, platters, jewelry, and my favorite: Christmas ornaments. Webb’s Glass Shop is inspired by the real-life Grand Central Stained Glass business owned by our good friends Bradley and Eloyne Ericson. Their website is: http://www.grandcentralstainedglass.com.

  Find a class in your area by searching the web for fused glass classes in your city.

  My husband and I have a glass studio in a cottage behind our house. We’re usually making gifts for friends and family. Our latest project is etching my Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery cover art onto crystal books. They are gorgeous and I usually have one with me when I have an event. To see the steps we take in making one, go to https://www.hobbyreads.com.

  ABOUT THE JEWELRY

  Like Savannah, I make fused glass jewelry to complement my outfits and to use up the leftover odds and ends of the various glass projects that my husband and I create. I post new pieces to my Cheryl Hollon Writer Facebook page. Sometimes, I offer them as a giveaway to thank friends for sharing news about the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series. Stop by and see what’s cooking in the kiln.

  Don’t miss the next book

  in the Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery series,

  Cracked to Death

  Available wherever books and ebooks

  are sold in July 2016!

  When a treasure hunt leads to deadly plunder,

  it’s up to glass shop owner Savannah Webb

  and her trusty investigative posse

  to map out the true motives of a killer . . .

  It’s the dog days of summer in St. Petersburg,

  Florida, and Webb’s Glass Shop proprietor

  Savannah Webb has an eco-friendly plan to

  help locals escape the heat—a recyclable

  bottle-crafting workshop taught by reticent

  store manager Amanda Blake. Turns out,

  the class is a bigger smash than expected,

  thanks in part to a pair of staggeringly old

  bottles brought in by snorkeler Martin Lane . . .

  Linked to a storied pirate shipwreck, the relics

  definitely pique Savannah’s interest.

  But intrigue turns to shock when Martin’s

  lifeless body washes ashore the next morning,

  another glass artifact tucked in his dive bag.

  With cell phone records connecting Amanda

  to the drowning, Savannah must voyage

  through unchartered territory to exonerate

  her colleague and capture the twisted

  criminal behind Martin’s death . . .

  To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

  KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2016 by Cheryl Hollon

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

  Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat & TM Off.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-61773-762-6

  ISBN-10: 1-61773-762-3

  First Kensington Mass Market Edition: March 2016

  ISBN: 978-1-6177-3762-6

 

 

 
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